Zambia's vice-president threatens to quit

Zambia’s Vice-President, Lupando Mwape, is threatening to quit his party over alleged acts of corruption and bribery to win votes ahead of the ruling party’s convention, state radio said on Monday.

Mwape said senior figures within the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) have been engaging in corruption and bribery to win support ahead of the party convention in May, the state-run Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) reported.

“I am ready to resign. I am not prepared to be part of corruption,” Mwape told the ZNBC.

“It seems some people are not being honest within the party,” said Mwape.

Mwape is among the top leaders who have declared their intention to contest the party vice-presidency at its congress.

Last week, President Levy Mwanawasa admitted that there is corruption within his party but warned members not to vote for candidates who have been using bribery to win votes.

At the same convention, Zambia’s former vice-president Nevers Mumba is also planning to challenge Mwanawasa for the leadership of the ruling party.

Mumba was sacked from the vice-presidency for causing a diplomatic row with the Democratic Republic of Congo in October.—Sapa-AFP